Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) and the U.S. Air Force reported progress on the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program, targeting first flight in 2027 and initial capability in the early 2030s, according to a company statement.

The LGM-35A Sentinel system is designed to replace the Minuteman III ground-based nuclear deterrent across more than 32,000 square miles in five states. The program involves more than 500 industrial partners and a workforce exceeding 10,000 professionals.

Northrop Grumman has invested $13.5 billion in infrastructure and research and development for national security programs over five years, including $2 billion dedicated to solid rocket motor capacity supporting Sentinel production capabilities.

The company completed assembly of the first three-stage Sentinel booster and produced solid rocket motors for the first five planned flight tests. Testing milestones include two interstage separation tests demonstrating stage separation capabilities and a shroud fly-off test validating payload protection design.

The missile's guidance and control hardware passed an initial mass model sled test, exposing the Navigation Inertial Measurement System to flight-like conditions. The system uses composite materials that are 70% lighter than Minuteman III components.

Infrastructure development includes ground-breaking on a prototype launch silo tube to test structural design and construction methods. The Launch Support System, a digital command and control infrastructure, completed its critical design review.

"The Sentinel program exemplifies what's possible when a bold acquisition approach meets relentless innovation," said Sarah Willoughby, vice president and general manager of strategic deterrent systems at Northrop Grumman.

The program spans development through 2075, with construction and fielding activities planned at missile wing locations. The system is intended to provide strategic deterrence capabilities replacing the aging Minuteman III infrastructure.